Guest Services and Activities
Western Michigan University Senior Day Services offer a variety of activities and services to meet the social, sensory, cognitive and health needs of our participants.
Guest Services
Personal care
Our trained staff will respectfully assist participants with personal care such as eating, walking, using the restroom and transferring from wheelchairs.
Transportation
Transportation is available through the Metro County Connect curb to curb bus service if the participant cannot be dropped off and picked up by family or friends. Discounted fares are available for individuals who are certified as having a disability and for seniors 62 years or older. The coordinator is available to assist in arranging transportation.
Meals
Depending on your funding source, you may qualify for free lunch provided my Meals on Wheels.
Guest Activities
Our goal is to enrich each participant's life by building upon their skills, knowledge and strengths. Activities are constantly being developed based on group needs and most activities can be adapted to the abilities of those who attend. Activities are offered in the following categories:
- Health and wellness - SDS has a daily exercise group suitable for all levels of activity. Participants have an opportunity for increased movement during walking club, chair aerobics cardio drumming and dance.
- Social/recreational - A variety of active games which promote increased cognitive and physical activity are offered on a daily basis. Games encourage group interaction and the opportunity to maintain/enhance motor skills.
- Cognitive stimulation - Activities are incorporated which focus on increasing opportunities to exercise their brain as well. Puzzles, trivia and activities which require increased focus are developed to help engage individuals mentally. Participants also have the opportunity to engage in evidence based cognitive brain exercises called Mind Aerobics™.
- Arts - Art activities are adapted for all abilities. Participants can create crafts almost daily at SDS. Some creative activities involve a group of participants working on a larger project as well as individual artwork such as painting and paper crafts. Not only do arts and crafts allow participants an opportunity to create something unique, but also exercises fine motor skills and focus.
- Memory and reminiscing - Some activities are specially designed to give participants the opportunity to reminisce about their past and talk about good memories. We incorporate games, music, snacks and entertainment to trigger memory and offer discussion time to reflect on times that have passed.
- Sensory/Music - Music is incorporated throughout the day at SDS through singalongs, games and music therapy group and individual sessions (provided my WMU music therapy students). Participants can choose to sing along, play instruments or just sit back and enjoy music based activities as part of these groups. Use of pictures and visual aids, touch and other senses are incorporated in many group games and activities.
In order to keep participants engaged and active, we follow this daily schedule.
8:30 to 10 a.m. - Arrival, snack and socialization activities
10 to 11 a.m. - Therapeutic group (discussion, current events, memory reflection, group game, arts, music)
11 a.m. to noon - Health and wellness (walking club, exercise group, active games)
noon to 1 p.m. - Lunch
1 to 2 p.m. - Small therapeutic group activities
2 to 2:30 p.m. - Snack
2:30 to 3:30 p.m. - Small therapeutic group activities
3:30 to 4 p.m. - Depart